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OFF THE TOP ROPE

I have not been a fan of pro wrestling for a long time. Not that I have anything against it, I just outgrew it when I was about 12 years old. Chief Jay Strongbow, Mr. Fuji, and George “The Animal” Steele were the men in tights that I’d watch on Saturday afternoons, in the early days of what was then, the World Wrestling Federation, or the W.W.F. The reason for the trip down memory lane is because right next door to the ballpark here in Columbus is the Nationwide Arena, where the W.W.E. is performing at the same time as the series finale between the PawSox and Clippers. The entire entourage was staying at the same hotel as the PawSox and I ran into some of them. I met the woman who is apparently the current “world champion”, Mickie James, a young lady from Richmond Virginia. A tough-looking Irish type, introduced to me as Seamus and a statuesque woman from Costa Rica named Melina. This definitely isn’t the wrestling I used to watch. There were many autograph-seekers in the lobby looking for a photo or handshake from John Cena and the like. There may or may not be any truth to the rumor that PawSox Director of Security Rick Medeiros, a dead ringer for the wrestler, the Iron Sheik was approached for an autograph. I found it interesting that the wrestling people think BASEBALL is fake.

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Good to see manager Torey Lovullo of the Clippers. For years Lovullo managed in Buffalo, but when the Indians changed their affiliation to Columbus, Lovullo moved with them. Widely regarded as a top managerial prospect, Lovullo’s father, Sam, was the executive producer of the old TV show, Hee Haw. The variety show was way ahead its’ time, before the age of CMT and other country music venues, Hee Haw featured all the stars of the day. Lovullo once told me a story of being on the set with his dad, and getting the chance to play one on one basketball with a singer who was appearing on the show. His name…Elvis Presley. He said “The King” was pretty good.

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The starting pitcher for Columbus on Monday was Jack Cassel, brother of former New England quarterback, Matt Cassel. It wasn’t Jack’s day. He gave up 15 hits and 9 runs in 5 innings. Their younger brother Justin, pitches for Charlotte.

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Michael Bowden was awesome again. The 22 year old righty worked 7 and a third innings, scattering 4 hits and 1 run. You know you’re in a groove when you pitch that well and your ERA goes up. (1.01 to 1.06). The pitcher performed with mom Nancy and sister Melissa in the stands. They made the 6 and a half hour drive from Aurora Illinois.

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A couple of seasons ago Bobby Scales would tape a weekly pre-game interview for us- “Weighing in with Bobby Scales”. We thought it might be fun to have Jeff Natale do the same this season. His first one aired Monday and he interviewed roommate Sean Danielson. Danielson, or “squirrel” as he’s known to teammates, promptly went 5-6 with his first homerun since last July here in Columbus. If you have a clever name for the segment, email me at radioguys@pawsox.com. If we use your idea, we’ll send you a gift card for Greg’s Restaurant.

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This morning I saw a guy in the hotel lobby wearing a goofy hat and glasses, apparently trying to go “incognito”. The gentleman skulked out onto the street, successfully evading fans that might recognize him. It was Japanese hero, Daisuke Matsuzaka.

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